It’s the Most Frightful Time of the Year!

To my immense joy, October has finally arrived, and that means I can go around dressed up as my favorite character without attracting too much attention. Well, that’s my hope, at least. Halloween is certainly one of the more enjoyable holidays as a cosplayer—you can go all out with the big, heavy costumes without dying from the heat, and the con crunch is finally over. (Well, if you don’t count NYCC. But hey, if you’re attending this year, come swing by our booth and show us your awesome cosplays/Halloween costumes!)

Still, every year, the most important question remains: What am I going as this Halloween?! If you’re looking for inspiration, you might as well look at this list we’ve selected for your cosplaying and reading pleasure. Ranging from witches to vampires to ghosts, there’s a bit of everything for you to base your decision on!

Secrets of the Silent Witch

By Matsuri Isora, (Artist) Nanna Fujimi

Monica Everett, the Silent Witch, is the only mage in the world who can use unchanted magecraft, a true hero who singlehandedly defeated a legendary black dragon. However, this young genius is actually…super-duper shy! That’s right: She learned to cast spells silently just to avoid speaking in public, and despite her power, she has zero self-confidence. Now Monica has been tasked with secretly guarding the second prince. Can she keep it together as she faces both the evil forces targeting the prince and the terrors of social interaction?

Starting with a classic, you might consider cosplaying as a witch, and who else could you be other than the shiest of them all: Monica! If you were looking for a cute series blending magic, mystery, and school life, you should definitely pick up this light novel. Plus, the anime for this series has been announced, so you can be ahead of the curve and have your cosplay ready both in time for Halloween and before this magical series explodes in popularity!

Also available as a manga!

This Monster Wants to Eat Me

By Sai Naekawa

Hinako, a high school student with a dark past, lives alone in a town by the sea. Haunted by a constant sensation of drowning, she can barely go through the motions of her tedious life…until the day a monster tries to eat her! After passing out in the struggle, she wakes to find she’s been rescued by a beautiful mermaid. However, salvation comes at a cost—the mermaid’s protection will last only until Hinako has matured into the perfect meal! Hinako’s first instinct isn’t to run or scream, though, and an unlikely relationship between monster and prey unfolds… “I’ve come to devour you.”

Maybe you want to dress up as something more unique—something that also verges on body horror… Well, fret not, for Yen Press has you covered! This summer, we released This Monster Wants to Eat Me, a beautiful Girls Love manga set on a seaside town starring a lonely girl and a mysterious mermaid. Think mermaids for Halloween are boring? Don’t be fooled! Shiori, the man-eating mermaid, has snakelike scales, fangs, and a pretty pair of sharp claws—totally different from your typical mermaid! Moreover, if you live by the idea that cannibalism equals love, then you might have just found yourself a delicious treat to consume to the very last bite.

GOGOGOGO-GO-GHOST!

By Miyako Hiruzuka

After an illicit affair at her promising first job fell through, office worker Ushiro Akechi has slid down to rock bottom. All the world has in store for her now are temporary gigs, a lonely, run-down apartment, and plain rice for dinner. With a life like that, would death be any worse…? What she really needs is an older-sister type to talk her back from the edge! Luckily, she’s about to meet one—from the other side! Alleged guardian spirit and self-proclaimed Big Sis Masako is here to take Ushiro under a ghostly wing! Together, can they turn a brush with death into the start of a gloriously funny new partnership?! Oh, honey— Thy grudge shall be avenged! ♡♡♡

Anyone who tells you that ghosts are overrated has clearly not met Masako! This amicable ghost might dote on Ushiro, but she clearly knows how to pull a frightful display. If romping revenge manga are your thing, if you can’t stand corporate life, and if your life motto is “an eye for an eye,” then GOGOGOGO-GO-GHOST! will definitely appeal to your palate. Furthermore, Masako is an excellent last-minute cosplay. Just put on your best fur coat, wear a white triangle headband, crack open a cold one, and you’re set for the night!

Unholy Blood

By Lina Lim

All pureblood vampire Hayan Park wanted was a normal life. But the emergence of murderous vampire-human hybrids ten years ago transformed the world into a dangerous place—forcing her to lie low, desperate to keep her secret hidden. When a beloved professor of hers is murdered, though, and a local police captain aims his suspicion at Hayan, things start getting personal. Using her true powers may be the only way to protect those around her…and her own life!

Between witches and vampires, I’m not sure which is the most popular Halloween costume. However, if you prefer your secret societies to have less magic and more blood (and guns), then it might be worthwhile to pick up Unholy Blood this October. This action-packed, supernatural series stars Hayan, a pureblood vampire with an unforgettable design—just who would have thought vampires looked so good dishing it out while wearing a crown of thorns?! Or you could also always go as Father Michael, the kind priest who’s showing off his fit on the cover of the third volume.

DARK MOON: THE BLOOD ALTAR

By HYBE with ENHYPEN

The seven most popular boys at Decelis Academy all share a secret—they’re vampires. Keeping their identities concealed and dealing with their werewolf rivals is trouble enough, but the appearance of a mysterious new student only further complicates things. The girl, Sooha, also has hidden powers, and the boys can’t help but feel an inexplicable attraction to her. As Sooha and the vampires find themselves increasingly drawn toward each other, murky pasts and intertwined futures threaten to turn their world upside down. Just what fate awaits them under the dark moon…?

But let’s say that you are really not into dressing up as your favorite character for Halloween. Still, you want to show off your love for the series and don’t mind wearing an accessory or two. And did I mention that you have always been attracted to the forces of the dark side? DARK MOON: THE BLOOD ALTAR is an urban fantasy series chock-full of mystery, teen romance, and starring incredible vampire characters that will make you reconsider your bias constantly and make you wonder what other crazy superpowers these vampires are hiding in their sleeves. So, this Halloween, just put on a pair of vampire teeth, wear your favorite DARK MOON merch, and dance the night away with your fellow friends!

Now that we’re finally at the start of October, there’s no time to waste when deciding your costume for the most frightful night of the year. So what will you be this Halloween? A ghost, a vampire… or something else?